Gil Tran on What Is Coming Up for the OMB Uniform Guidance in 2018

While telling a story about a vacation to Venice, Italy, Gil Tran, Senior Policy Analyst for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), described Venice as a beautiful and unique city where, “you’re always going to get lost when you’re in it.” Despite its layout, he said, “When you get lost, that’s when you discover all the gems.”

According to Tran, this is how grant professionals ought to dive into and enjoy the OMB Uniform Guidance (or the “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards” for those who prefer its full name). Immerse yourselves and get lost, only to discover the wonderful “nuggets” of regulations governing your federal award experience.

While many of you may have a less enchanted, more pragmatic approach to grant administration, you nonetheless need to know the latest about the Uniform Guidance.

What’s Ahead for the OMB Uniform Guidance?

Tran provided brief statements on how the following bills, laws, and executive orders may affect the OMB Uniform Guidance in 2018.

Note: These are not official changes to the OMB Uniform Guidance, but rather a notice of what may happen this year per the “OMB Update” presentation by Gil Tran at the HHS OGAPA Grants Management Conference on January 9, 2018.

Performance Focus – In the FY 2019 budgetand in updates to the Uniform Guidance, expect a significant focus on performance. The emphasis will not just be spending money, but the outcome of the spending. Grant programs will need to demonstrate results and outcomes.